There are many ways to save cash when trying out new fashion trends. A Do It Yourself Project (DIY) can save you lots of money and best of all, you can say that it’s your own personal creation! This is my favorite DIY project to take on because it is easy, fast, and cheap.

Last year, I fell in love with these denim cutoffs from Urban Outfitters. However, they are around $40, and I realized I could make a pair of these at home with little effort. After I made my first pair last year, I wore them to Urban Outfitters and the employees couldn’t tell the difference.

This vintage, high-waisted style is everywhere right now and I’m going to show you how to make a pair for yourself for less than $10 (or less than $5 if you have some of these common supplies at home and shop on the right day). READY? Let’s go.

First, head over to your local Goodwill and start digging for some high-waisted jeans. Regular price for these is about $7 but if you go on a 50% off Saturday (which I did), you can score a pair for $3.50. That way, you might be able to get 2 pairs in case you mess up one.

FAIR WARNING: This project does require some sharp objects, so please be careful and use your best judgement.

What you’ll need when you find a pair:

- Jeans (obviously), I like to find a pair of high-waisted ones circa 1980’s or 90’s

- Scissors (a pair of heavy duty ones from a toolbox works best)

- A Razor or Razor Blade (for fraying and distressing)

- A Sharpie Marker

STEP 1: Try on the jeans and decide how short you want them to be. Take them off and then mark on the outside seam with the marker. This should be the shortest point of the shorts.

STEP 2: Cut jeans at an angle going downward towards the inner seam (the bottom edges of the shorts should make a V when you’re done). It’s important to do this because if you cut them straight across, they will not lay correctly and you’ll be disappointed.

STEP 3: Start fraying and distressing. This can take some time, so I just like to do a little bit here and there.

To fray: Pull and drag over the loose strings on the bottom edges of the shorts. This can be meticulous, so be patient. Take the razor edge and rough up the bottom edges of the shorts.

To distress: Drag the razor across the fabric and rough up the outside of the shorts. A loose razor blade can speed up the process because it allows for more cutting, but they scare me (haha) so I just use an old safety razor that I’m done using in the shower. Once again, this can take a while.

You won’t get them perfect right away. I’ll do a little fraying and distressing and then throw it in the washer (it helps the process along). I’ll do it over the course of a few days. I like to see them evolve over time.

AND VOILA!!! You have you’re own pair of cutoffs! (I felt adventurous and made three pairs this weekend. All three cost about $11.)

p.s. Can you spot a cute, little cat tail on the ground? haha. Coco wanted to help out with the project.

I hope this inspires you to get a little creative! I always have so much fun doing these projects, and I’m sure you will too.

I don’t always go thrifting, but when I do….(I’ll spare you the rest of my attempt at being funny).

In all seriousness though, thrifting (along with a little DIY inspiration) can add some unique and fun pieces to your wardrobe. I’m definitely not an expert thrifter, but I can share some ways that I’ve managed to make my thrifting excursions successful.

Number 1 - Keep an open mind.

I know that going to a place like Goodwill and Salvation Army can seem a little off-putting but in order to find something awesome, you’ll have to get past the idea that these items have already been used. Think positively about your experience and look for the potential of some items you find. Remember, this isn’t Bloomingdales. It’s Goodwill. Most will have no hope in salvaging, but some pieces are still in pretty good shape and can be tweaked to look awesome.

Number 2 - Keep an eye out.

DIG. DIG. DIG. Carefully scan all of the racks and aisles and take your time. Salvation Army and Goodwill are organized by color, which helps but there is still a lot to look through. Also, LOOK FOR GREY TAGS OR STICKERS. A friend of mine that used to work at Goodwill told me that items marked with one of these things means they are brand new. Goodwill gets these items from places like Target because it didn’t sell in the store. Goodwill usually marks those items down for half of the initial clearance price. So there is always the possibility that you could end up with something extra awesome.

Number 3 - DIY (Do It Yourself)!

If you find something you like, a little sewing and a little tweaking can go a long way. I’ve done most of my DIY projects without a sewing machine. I purchased a pair of high-waisted Guess denim shorts a few months ago for $5 and cut off the cuffed bottoms to make some cute, retro daisy duke shorts (more on this later). They ended up looking exactly like a pair that Urban Outfitters sells for $45 dollars. I even fooled some of the UO employees with how similar they looked (again, I’ll talk more about this in a later post). So, get creative with it and experiment! This stuff is very inexpensive, so it’s okay if you mess up.

I usually gravitate towards the same stuff in these stores. There are some types of items that tend to have more potential than others (i.e. easier to DIY, trends translate better, they last longer). Here’s what I like to find:

- Denim (i.e. jackets, shorts, jeans). This stuff is easy to work with and can make a fun DIY project. It’s great for beginners. Bleach it, dye it, cut it, and HAVE FUN!

- Quirky Tees. Again, easy to DIY and wear. Just make sure you don’t over do it with these. Pair one with a blazer or structured jacket to keep it fresh.

- Shoes. Be careful though. If they look dirty and dingy, JUST SAY NO. You can still find great ones though.

- Skirts. Skirts have managed to not change that much over the years and are always relevant. If it is a pencil shape in a neutral color, chances are, it’s in style.

- Handbags. Like skirts, handbags haven’t changed that much. However, stay away from slouchy shapes, gaudy embellishments, or loud prints. Aim for structured and simple.

- OLD BOOKS AND RECORDS. Okay, not fashion related I know, but you can find the coolest old books and records that can make great conversation pieces in your apartment or home.

I like to think of thrifting as a skill. You have to practice a lot to become really good at it. You have to know what to look for and how to look for it. So get inspired, be creative, and hopefully this advice will help you get started on your thrifting journey. GOOD LUCK!

photo courtesy of prlog.org

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